bittertang builds buru buru amphitheater from straw wattles

bittertang builds buru buru amphitheater from straw wattles
all images courtesy of the bittertang farm

to serve as a temporary amphitheater for the ragdale foundation‘s 2014 summer performances, the bittertang farm has constructed ‘buru buru,’ of a decomposing shell made of netted straw wattles. the form rises from the grassy landscape, and over time is being overtaken by various vegetation, to increasingly blend in with its context. supported by internally located trusses, the draped surface opens to the front to frame a stage. in the evenings, an arrangement of LEDs hung from above to illuminate the performances.

the straw-netted wattles gently rise from the grassy landscape to create a draped shell form

the new york-based design studio, led by antonio torres and michael loverich, collaborated with structural engineer knippers helbigwere to conceive the project, while a group of university students aided in buru buru’s fabrication. the elongated hay links’ arrangement results in a swirling pattern. vines and plant-life have been integrated amongst the straw pile surface, in order to promote vegetation growth. the partially-living amphitheater will degrade over time to reform with the grassy landscape, or to be composted to, ‘nourish future gardens.’

over time, surrounding grasses and plants will grow onto the hay surface

a radial arrangement of trusses support the stacked wattles

in the evenings, an arrangement of LEDs hung from above to illuminate the performances

grasses and fungi have begun to grow throughout the hay pile

the partially-living amphitheater will degrade over time to reform with the grassy landscape

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